Final Cut Pro X
The New Final Cut Pro X
Apple presented the new Final Cut Pro X during the FCP User Group SuperMeet at the NAB 2011 in Las Vegas. An update pro were desperately waiting for. I have to say, I was a bit afraid when I first saw the iMovie look and feel and crossed fingers hoping Apple didn't forget the pro market.
Regarding what's under-the-hood, the editing tool had finally been rewritten from scratch to support:
- Cocoa 64-bit architecture
- Multi-core processors optimized (Grand Central Dispatch)
- Open CL
- Resolution-independent playback system up to 4K formats
- background rendering (no more rendering progress bar!!)
- Core animation, Core audio, Core video...
This is great and very welcomed. Apple didn't stop there and tries to rethink the editing process. A lot of work has been done to change the way we import, manage and edit our project. During the importation a series of pre-processes are done to facilitate the organisation and editing such as shot detection, image stabilisation analysis or color balance analysis (non destructive balanced images). Instead of the traditional bins organisation system, you can now apply range-based keywords to your clips which means the entire or parts of your clip can be available in many places and easily located during the editing process.
Regarding the editing process, Final Cut Pro X features a new magnetic timeline that reorganise itself to keep audio and video from losing sync and prevent your clips from being accidentally overwritten. This is definitely a time saver! Compound clips, Inline precision editor and Auditioning allow you to work more precisely on specific parts while keeping the overall project tidy (it looks a bit like Inception: clips within clips).
FCPX has now a series of color based new features allowing you to do partial color corrections using masks and range selections without the need to export your project to a dedicated grading tool. The color match feature is pretty impressive as it allows you in two clicks to automatically match colours with the clip you want. For HDDSLR shooters like me who work on dual system (audio recorded separately) you will be pleased to hear that FCPX includes a PluralEyes like system that will analyse and synchronise matching audio clips.
My View
In overall, this revamped Final Cut seems really promising. This version will not only be significantly faster, it will, well at least for me; bring in one package the small features I use all the time that so far required to launch additional app and plugins such as Soundtrack Pro (audio clean up) PluralEyes (audio sync) or After Effects (colour grading).
I have no doubt FCPX will be a great tool for indie filmmakers but what about the professional users? Indeed, a lot of questions are still unanswered. Can FCPX still handle multiclips? What about output? Logs and transfer? Apple didn't mention the other Studio apps. Will there still be a Soundtrack Pro for more advanced audio editing? What about Color for high end colour grading? Motion?
Final Cut Pro X will be released on the Mac App Store in June for 299$ and will also replace the Express version. In the meanwhile, thanks to Emmanuel Pampuri you can watch the sneak peek and demo:
Videographer, Visual FX artist and web designer.